A24 launches sweeping copyright crackdown on Backrooms content, report says
A24 is catching heat over a reported copyright crackdown on Backrooms fan projects, igniting a wave of backlash online. Indie artists and game developers argue their work draws from the original internet mythos, not the studio’s film adaptation.
Oh, here we go—A24, the indie darling with a knack for cult hits, has managed to get itself into a rather undignified situation with the online Backrooms crowd. In typical internet fashion, it’s all kicked off over copyright takedowns, and the backlash from independent artists and game developers has been swift, if not a little chaotic.
A24’s Copyright Crusade (and the Backlash)
In the past couple of weeks, there’s been a flurry of reports coming out of the Backrooms community. Multiple creators say that A24 has slapped them with copyright complaints, even when their work has nothing to do with the studio’s new Backrooms movie. Instead, they insist their inspiration comes straight from the original online lore—the same liminal nightmare fuel that started as a viral meme back in 2019.
One of the first to sound the alarm was a Redditor going by 'GnarlyNet.' They reckoned their artwork got booted off Redbubble thanks to a copyright takedown from ‘A24 Films LLC’. According to them, the design was simple: a recreation of the legendary 2019 image that kicked off the whole Backrooms fever dream. No movie logos, nothing nicked from the recent film—just "It is a recreation of the pattern from the well-known 2019 image who started the whole backrooms lore."
Indie Game Devs Get Caught in the Crossfire
Developers haven’t been spared either. Davilkus Games say their entire Google Play developer account got shut down after three copyright strikes in quick succession. Here’s the kicker: the studio had already tried playing ball, changing the name of its game from 'Exit the Backrooms: Level 94' to 'Liminal Complex: Level 94' to keep clear of Google’s copycat policy. But the strikes kept coming.
Davilkus themselves made it pretty clear: "It wasn’t just us - it was a silent ban wave. I know at least 3 other small indie devs who had their games suspended that exact same morning."
- GnarlyNet: Redbubble art pulled, claimed source was the 2019 Backrooms photo, not the film
- Davilkus Games: Account suspended even after changing their game's name
- Multiple indie devs: Reported bans around the same time as Davilkus
Director Steps In (Sort Of)
The row has even caught the attention of Kane Parsons, the director behind A24’s Backrooms film. Parsons, for what it's worth, has jumped into the Reddit fray and basically said he wasn't having it: "I’m looking into this. Should not be happening."
All of this drama is kicking off just as A24’s Backrooms movie—out since 29 May—continues to rack up box office numbers, which might explain why some corporate lawyers are getting a bit twitchy about the brand.